Important update on pet travel!

Owners who wish to take their pets on holiday may need to visit their vet at least four months prior to travelling.

With Brexit negotiations lacking transparency there is a chance the UK could become an unlisted third country, on March 29th, 2019.

If this happens, anyone wishing to travel within the EU, alongside their pets, will be required to take them to the vet no later than November 28th, 2018, in order to meet legislative requirements.

To travel with their pet from a third country to the EU, owners need to prove their animals are effectively vaccinated against rabies, with a blood titre test required to demonstrate sufficient levels of rabies antibody.

This needs to be carried out a minimum of 30 days after any initial rabies vaccination. A period three months must then be allowed to pass before pets can travel to the EU.

Currently, before a pet can travel from the UK for the first time, it would need to be take to an official veterinarian, who would need to ensure the animal has a microchip and has received the primary rabies vaccination on or after the date of microchipping and at least 21 days prior to the date of travel.

The Uk’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is confident that the UK will reach a deal with the EU.

However, if negotiations break down then owners could be forced to follow the additional steps in order to take their pets abroad.

Langford Vets strongly advises anyone who wishes to be certain of taking their pets abroad, after March 29th, to set up a meeting with their vet no less than four months before the date of travel.

For a more comprehensive view of the potential changes please visit our Pet Passport page.